Tokyo  Nikkei  9422.88  -0.57%
Seoul   KOSPI  2035.87  -1.26%
Shanghai SSEC  2742.17  -0.90%
Hong Kong HSI 22747.28  +0.07%
Singapore STI  3118.65  +0.18%
Mumbai    BSE 17847.24  -0.91%
Sydney   AORD  4661.60  -0.99% 
 
1. Japan Apr Exports Fall Most in 18 Months
The shipment declined 12.5% to US$62.8 billion. Imports gained 8.9% year-on-year to US$68.4 billion, showing the effects of the Mar 11 earthquake and tsunami. 
 
2. Asia Stocks Fall on Earning Concerns
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.7%, after Applied Materials forecast third-quarter profit and sales that missed analyst estimates. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 0.6%. Shanghai dropped 0.9% to close at 2742.17.
 
3. Glencore's HK Shares Down 2.5% on Debut
Shares of the Swiss-based commodity trader dropped as much as 3% on its Hong Kong debut. The firm raised US$10 billion through a London and Hong Kong initial public offering. 
 
4. Sony Ericsson's Canada Site Hacked
A Sony spokesperson said the hackers have attacked Sony Ericsson's Canadian eShop website, affecting 2,000 users. Its website in Greece had also been hacked with 8,500 Greek user accounts compromised.
 
5. S Korea Banks to Form Fund to Buy Bad Real-estate Loans
Seven banks will pool up a fund with capital of US$1.09 billion to buy soured real estate related loans. It will be able to buy up to US$2.27 billion worth of bad debt from banks. 
 
6. Petronas Dagangan Plans US$130.5M Expansion
The retail arm of Malaysia's state oil and gas company wants to increase 30 to 50 petrol stations per annum over the next 5 years to increase its market share to 40% from 32%.
 
7. Vietnam Trade Deficit Expands to US$1.7B in May
The deficit was up from a revised US$1.48 billion in Apr, as imports jumped to US$9.2 billion from US$8.93 billion in the previous month. Exports climbed to US$7.5 billion from US$7.44 billion in Apr. 
 
8. Indonesia's Oldest Islamic Bank to Sell Shares
A Standard Chartered Plc affiliate and the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. are among bidders for a controlling stake in PT Bank Muamalat. The shareholders of the Indonesia bank plans to sell over 50% stake for US$600 million.
 
9. Suicide Bomb Destroys Pakistan Police Station
The attack killed 6 people. The country's main Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was their 4th reprisal for the May 2 death of bin Laden.
 
10. N Korean Leader Said to Arrive in Beijing
Kim Jong-il's armored train reached the capital of China. S Korea's Yonhap news agency said Kim was there apparently for a summit meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.